Log in
Search
Latest topics
» Model Locomotive stuffby roddie Today at 1:04 pm
» Dope free build
by Ken Cook Today at 12:54 pm
» **Black Lynx Engine Giveaway** Cox Engine of the Month (2020)
by MauricioB Today at 11:16 am
» question: gas powered cox or other 1/2a engines using the OS G5 plug
by gkamysz Today at 10:36 am
» Tarno carb operation
by OVERLORD Today at 9:55 am
» TD 09 Ducted Fan
by getback Today at 9:39 am
» What are the differences (if any) between Cox .09 TD and Medallion pistons/cylinders?
by getback Today at 9:17 am
» The Stork
by Ken Cook Today at 9:03 am
» Free Flight Modelling
by Ken Cook Today at 8:48 am
» Minnie Mambo Rescue
by NEW222 Yesterday at 8:12 pm
» Help me Find m'y lost Snowmobile engine
by NEW222 Yesterday at 12:25 pm
» Jerobee electric to glow conversion nr 2
by Cribbs74 Yesterday at 12:01 pm
Flying Saucer
Page 1 of 1
Flying Saucer
It's been nearly 30 years since I've flown anything but I found this little thing at a comic book store in Houston.

Picked it up for just under $50. Seems like it's never been flown. The stickers are still on the sheets. Really not sure what it is that I got but everything I look at points to a 21924 .049 cox engine. The box itself says .045 cox but not sure what the 21924 is. Still need to find the starter kit that it recommends (that is to say starter clip, fuel, wrenches, oil) and I guess whatever else I'll need.
One big worry is how long this thing will fly around and how high it'll go. Should I tether it down somehow so it doesn't interfere with air traffic?
A little clueless here since I've only done line control planes before.

Picked it up for just under $50. Seems like it's never been flown. The stickers are still on the sheets. Really not sure what it is that I got but everything I look at points to a 21924 .049 cox engine. The box itself says .045 cox but not sure what the 21924 is. Still need to find the starter kit that it recommends (that is to say starter clip, fuel, wrenches, oil) and I guess whatever else I'll need.
One big worry is how long this thing will fly around and how high it'll go. Should I tether it down somehow so it doesn't interfere with air traffic?
A little clueless here since I've only done line control planes before.
Vachtra- Beginner Poster
- Posts : 5
Join date : 2018-07-16
Re: Flying Saucer
The starter kit no longer exists, but you can get you accessories from these guys
http://www.exmodelengines.com/home.php?cat=264
https://coxengines.ca/
and I think Fitz still has some fuel:
http://fitzfuels.com/index.php
http://www.exmodelengines.com/home.php?cat=264
https://coxengines.ca/
and I think Fitz still has some fuel:
http://fitzfuels.com/index.php
Kim- Top Poster
Posts : 7400
Join date : 2011-09-06
Location : South East Missouri
Re: Flying Saucer
Seems that Fitz is out of fuel. Found a local shop though that sells the fuel and supplies I'll need.
Thanks for the advice and information on performance though. I'll start with a very little amount of fuel so it doesn't get away from me too far.
Thanks for the advice and information on performance though. I'll start with a very little amount of fuel so it doesn't get away from me too far.
Vachtra- Beginner Poster
- Posts : 5
Join date : 2018-07-16
Re: Flying Saucer
Vachtra wrote:Seems that Fitz is out of fuel. Found a local shop though that sells the fuel and supplies I'll need.
Thanks for the advice and information on performance though. I'll start with a very little amount of fuel so it doesn't get away from me too far.
Just make sure you get the correct fuel to suit the Cox engine. It needs to be "1/2A" fuel of around 25% nitro with castor oil up to around 10%, plus another 10% synthetic oil. Most regular RC fuels sold for modern engines probably won't be suitable.
Seems to be a nitro shortage currently, so finding the right fuel may be difficult.
Oldenginerod- Top Poster
- Posts : 3234
Join date : 2012-06-15
Age : 58
Location : Victoria, Australia
Re: Flying Saucer
Yea on the purchase ! i hope you can get a video of that baby fling would love to see it and you in Action.

getback- Top Poster
Posts : 7452
Join date : 2013-01-18
Age : 63
Location : julian , NC
Re: Flying Saucer
What does it do when engine quits at 200 ft. AGL?
ticomareado- Account Under Review
- Posts : 1088
Join date : 2013-10-03
Location : NC
Re: Flying Saucer
I had one back in the day. When the engine stops, it falls. Mine never broke. But eventually I robbed it of the engine for more entertaining aircraft ( read that- Got bored!).
944_Jim- Platinum Member
Posts : 1021
Join date : 2017-02-08
Age : 55
Location : NE MS
Re: Flying Saucer
My plan is to run it the first time with just a little gas to see how it lifts off. Then I'm thinking about adding weights to keep it from getting too high, more of a floating to it. If I add the weights to the inside of the saucer just under the blade in the thick part it should both be low enough to keep it level and not hinder the look of it in flight. I'm thinking of a game of hot potato with a flying saucer in a field.
Vachtra- Beginner Poster
- Posts : 5
Join date : 2018-07-16
Re: Flying Saucer
Flip the prop to minimize thrust. I wouldn't add weights.
JMHO.
JMHO.
944_Jim- Platinum Member
Posts : 1021
Join date : 2017-02-08
Age : 55
Location : NE MS
Re: Flying Saucer
944_Jim wrote:Flip the prop to minimize thrust. I wouldn't add weights.
JMHO.
I think that's good advice. This model was designed to use a specified propeller. Hopefully that spec./propeller is mounted on its engine. I don't know what that specified propeller should be.. but looking at various web-photos; it looks (to me..) like a 6 inch diameter propeller. If so; it would likely be a standard/tractor propeller. Cox made 6 inch diameter propellers in various pitches. I would "guess" this propeller to be a 6 inch diameter by 3 inch pitch (6"d x 3"p). This is just a guess though.
You can source other aero-propellers to do the job.. but it would be pertinent to know the original Cox specs.
Re: Flying Saucer
Just my humble opinion, and certainly not wanting to be a wet blanket, but...
The problem with hovering is that you can't adjust thrust automatically. Drones use gyros to maintain a particular attitude/vector and still hunt even in mild wind.
I used to adjust fuel flow for effect, but still all I could manage was either going up barely (and most erratically), or really go up when leaned out. I could never get it to maintain a particular altitude, such that tossing it like a frisbee hoping for horizontal flight.
As the engine spins one way, the body will spin the other way. There is no "anti-torque" to this thing. And as the body spins, so does the fuel in the little pancake tank. So much that even that can affect flight.
I recommend (based on 40 year old memories) that you find a wide-open space, short-tank the toy, and watch it behave as intended...at least a few times. Even in it's intended manner, this thing can be entertaining...just like flying rags.
Then progress to playing with weights and such.
I would never recommend tossing it "hot-potato" or frisbee to even the most brave of your buddies to catch it. Not without finger screens top and bottom.
That's why the engine got salvaged for control line later on.
Play on, Brother! Post videos.
The problem with hovering is that you can't adjust thrust automatically. Drones use gyros to maintain a particular attitude/vector and still hunt even in mild wind.
I used to adjust fuel flow for effect, but still all I could manage was either going up barely (and most erratically), or really go up when leaned out. I could never get it to maintain a particular altitude, such that tossing it like a frisbee hoping for horizontal flight.
As the engine spins one way, the body will spin the other way. There is no "anti-torque" to this thing. And as the body spins, so does the fuel in the little pancake tank. So much that even that can affect flight.
I recommend (based on 40 year old memories) that you find a wide-open space, short-tank the toy, and watch it behave as intended...at least a few times. Even in it's intended manner, this thing can be entertaining...just like flying rags.
Then progress to playing with weights and such.
I would never recommend tossing it "hot-potato" or frisbee to even the most brave of your buddies to catch it. Not without finger screens top and bottom.
That's why the engine got salvaged for control line later on.
Play on, Brother! Post videos.
944_Jim- Platinum Member
Posts : 1021
Join date : 2017-02-08
Age : 55
Location : NE MS
Re: Flying Saucer
It's funny that you talk about anti torque. Those fins just under the prop are actually meant to do the opposite. They spin the saucer in the direction of the torque making the saucer spin the opposite direction of the prop. That in itself actually reduces the lift slightly but makes it spin even more than if it was only from the torque.
Vachtra- Beginner Poster
- Posts : 5
Join date : 2018-07-16
Page 1 of 1
Permissions in this forum:
You cannot reply to topics in this forum